Eventually, I will open a coffeehouse w/a hobby store on the premises.I am working on ideas before it is actually open....and I love to talk.So,here I am...with a blog that is more playground and forum than anything.

Friday, February 13, 2015

Telemachus and Homer

Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Malachite Quills Publishing

Pub. date: Sept 2012

For every boy who grew up in his father’s shadow and every girl who has been underestimated, there comes a time to look within themselves to see if they have the strength to meet the challenges of their lives. For Telemachus this time arrives soon after Odysseus returns from his twenty year absence, when Telemachus comes to appreciate that his own life needs to be about more than waiting for his father to guide him. On the verge of embarking on an adventure, he learns that his community has been threatened and realizes that he does not know how to help. Swallowing his pride, he recognizes that Homer, a young blind woman is a necessary ally. Homer, like Telemachus has something to prove, for although she is respected for her knowledge, she feels unfairly defined by her community. Together, as the people of Ithaca’s last hope, they begin their quest.

EXCERPT:

By the time that Telemachus was nineteen, he had had enough of Homer’s attempts to help him to get in touch with his feelings. He was living his loneliness, and he did not see any value in brooding over it as Homer wanted him to do. Consequently, he spent longer times in a state of silence that was loud and clear to Homer.
However, even in silence, Telemachus could not hide his discomfort. During these times, Homer heard Telemachus’ breathing rate change as she asked questions that made him feel ill at ease, and she could smell the sweat that accumulated on his brow. Finally, Homer stopped following him to the shoreline.
Telemachus had been Homer’s only true friend. He was the only person who did not ever question why she spent so many hours studying, and he never asked her how she could learn so much even though she was blind. She always wanted people to treat her as Homer, and not the blind girl. In receiving the cold shoulder from Telemachus, her wish came true, and it hurt.
By contrast, Telemachus had mixed emotions about not having Homer as a companion. He missed the company, but he also felt relieved that no one forced him to confront his feelings. Homer had been the only one in all of Ithaca to press him on these issues. Even Telemachus’ own mother did not press him. He wondered whether Homer was the only one who could not appreciate that her questions were inappropriate to ask the son of Odysseus, or whether she was the only one who cared enough to ask the questions that despite his unease and desire not to hear, needed to be asked.
In the first few days after Homer stopped shadowing Telemachus, Homer sulked and Telemachus became even more introverted. But Homer was too determined to make something of herself to allow her rift with Telemachus to bring her down. Accordingly, whereas Telemachus remained focused on waiting for news of his father, Homer threw herself into her interests, and she increased the intensity of her training in the medicinal arts. She also spent her free time, the time that she had previously spent with Telemachus, interviewing travelers and veterans of the Trojan War. Quickly, she became Ithaca’s most worldly citizen, despite never having left its shores.

MY THOUGHTS:

Growing up was difficult for both Telemachus and Homer. Telemachus dealt with his father's absence by waiting...and waiting...and waiting. Telemachus basically put large portions of growing up on hold until the day his father, the legendary Odysseus returned. Telemachus' friend Homer dealt with her childhood hardships in a different way. She tried to excel in order to counteract prejudice toward her disability and gender. Both friends would need every ounce of strength and ingenuity to save the people of Ithaca!

A team of four friends who are unlikely heroes. A tale of almost Paul Bunyan proportions...where you constantly wonder what the characters (and the author) will think of next. A wholesome story that can be read as soon as our homeschoolers reach the right reading level.

Scott Locke is a graduate of Brown University with a concentration in biology and of the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, where he earned his J.D. Scott has published many articles on various aspects of intellectual property. Telemachus and Homer is Scott's first publication of fiction.

Mi vida es un bolsillo lleno de arco iris.My life is a pocketful of rainbows.

Profile Updated January 7, 2015. I am blessed with being a Mother, Homemaker and Homeschool Teacher. I own about 5.5 thousand books and our family has around 8 thousand! I am the founder of "Grandma's Rainbow"...a fledgling book giveaway program. I believe in life-long learning and can often be found glued to the screen in a MOOC course. I advocate for education reform. I am very interested in urban farming and self-sufficiency. Someday, I hope to make advancements in soil science and irrigation in terms of urban farming. Huge Douglas Adams and Roger Zelazny fan. Avid Armchair Traveler. I like roadtrips and the goal is for our children to see a good part of every state before they turn 18. I am married to the vocalist of "Once Were Serpents." My family is involved with Asylum Ministries and AudioFeed Music Festival. I am a professional reader.I have extensive editing and writing experience. I hope that something made you smile today. ------Non-spammers can reach me at iamthebluestbutterfly AT yahoo.com

"It is no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase 'As pretty as an Airport' appear."

-Douglas Adams

"You live and learn. At any rate, you live."

-Douglas Adams

‎"I am an expert of electricity. My father occupied the chair of applied electricity at the state prison."

- W C Fields

"Start every day off with a smile and get it over with."

- W C Fields

"There is possibility in every difficulty."

- Albert Einstein

"When we were children we used to think that when we grew up we would no longer be vulnerable. But to grow up is to accept vulnerability. To be alive is to be vulnerable."

-- Madeleine L'Engle

Randoms...

---I love when actors/actresses who play heroes openly support causes that will better the world.

---I am a fan of CVS. All those little extra sales bring smiles into our lives (free candy canes, a Barnes & Noble card for my Mother at Christmas and a three dollar credit for my birthday are the things I can think of on top of my head). Super nice cashiers and they don't mind at all that pretty much everyone in their lines is couponing, etc.

---So many beet salads look appetizing. I just can't stand beets.

---I believe in the Golden Rule and wish everyone else did. I do not like people that show no respect for others...especially when you have been only respectful and nice to them.

---I really, really enjoy listening to the birds chirping outside in the morning. I wish I knew more about how to identify the many birds that fly around our house. I inherited a bunch of books on birds...I guess it's time I start reading.

---I am afraid of acupuncture. The invent of laser acupuncture certainly did not make me any more at ease with ever trying it.

---I am a fan of the name "Sebastian." I have never met anyone who actually had this as a first name.

---I think it would be great if a lot more cities had tours by double decker bus. I saw a photo of a wedding that took place on the top of a double decker bus...the bride looked so happy and like she was having so much fun.

---I think baby dolphins are beautiful.

---I often capitalize words like "Mother and "Husband" for obvious reasons.

---One thing I love about "copycat recipes" is they usually don't include all the chemicals and preservatives of the original.

---I will never eat anything tartare. I will also not be eating carpacchio.

---Sometimes I really, really like macaroni and cheese from a box. Well I guess...not totally. Instead of the butter, I use a ton of shredded cheese.

---I wish that someone would start selling Kobe steaks at the grocery.

---I get annoyed by Twitter parties where people must be there only to win prizes and no one interacts with me.

---I have never been to a Jamba Juice. I found some copycat recipes that I would like to try...a lot of them call for pineapple sherbet which might be hard to find here.

---I do not like when hotels put the coffee machine in the bathroom.

---I am of the firm belief that some men should not wear suits....even when "required." It makes some men look way too stern.

---The only oysters I have ever tasted have been at Oriental buffets.

---I detest wasting my time on movies with no surprises.

---I am often interested in things made with huckleberries.

---I like finding flavors of candy cane that I haven't tried. Currently, I would really like to try huckleberry. I am not so sure about trying pickle-flavored candy canes. I have friends who would love to try pickle flavored candy canes and should gift them with some.

---Sometimes I feel that wars keep more people from dying. I wish alternatives were (peacefully) fought for. War is a sign of at least one irrational party.

---At least at home, I am really good at playing game shows like "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of Fortune."

We Liked It

-----Barbecue Chicken Pizza with a garlic crust. From Jet's.
-----Sauteed Fruits. Excellent with steak. Made me wish I had a glass of red wine.
-----Thinly sliced roast beef topped with a mixture of a large tablespoon of sour cream horse radish, a cup of sour cream and grated onion on a baguette.

I'd like to...

-----Go on a Autumn photography walk in Central Park.
-----See the flowers of a caper bush in person. Somewhere here in the States...maybe Hawaii.
-----Buy a good set of bells (for playing music). They could be expensive.
-----Visit Acadia National Park. See the Peregrines.
-----See the Titanic Memorial
-----Ride in a blimp.
-----Run the Walt Disney World Marathon.

Misc.

Contacts!Contacts!Contacts!

Feel free to contact me if you would like me to do a review....100% honest opinion. They say 1 out of 10 people is a "promoter"...someone who talks to many people about their experiences. I definitely reach a LOT of people via my blog and several other Internet mediums. I am a big believer in word-of-mouth....it can make the world a better place.

I was here.
Did you love me?
Or bow to Fear?
My spirit roams past this stone.
Looks so like myself.
A monument.
They still stare.
Nails that kept others out.
Nails that trapped me in.
I ruled & roamed.
King of All Except Myself

Update:
The Shameless Lions have effectively disbanded but I still love to go back and read the work produced. I also like to talk to my friends and their lions.